Test positivity rate for First Nations in Manitoba more than double provincial average

First Nations people make up an increasing proportion of COVID-19 cases in the province, one of the physicians leading Manitoba's First Nations Pandemic Response Coordination team said Friday.

"When we see the numbers that we're seeing right now we know there's a lot of the virus circulating," Dr. Marcia Anderson said during the team's update via Facebook Live.

"It becomes more important than ever that we are very diligent with those public health measures."

The team reported 599 new cases among First Nations people in Manitoba over the past week, with atotalof 2,073 active cases.

The five-day test positivity rate among First Nations people in Manitoba is now 21 per cent up from 17 per cent on Jan. 8, and double the 10 per cent provincewide rate among the general population reported Friday.

Anderson said of the 191 new cases of COVID-19 reported provincewide in Manitoba on Friday, about 60 per cent (114) were among First Nations people.

• Northern Manitoba continues to be hit hard by COVID-19, with nearly half of 191 new cases

She said long-standing challenges, includinginadequate and overcrowded housing, contribute to the higher rates of infection.

"We know that crowding in homes makes it really difficult to isolate appropriately within the home."

In an effort to slow the spread of infection, Andersonencouragespeople with COVID-19 who are offered a space outside their home to self-isolateto accept it,if they need it.

"It's going to be really hard for us to bring down these numbers in communities if we cannot isolate more."

The total number of cases among First Nations people in Manitoba since the start of the pandemic is now 6,989, including2,871 people who live onreserve.

There have now been 119 deaths among First Nations people fromCOVID-19 in Manitoba, according to the Friday's update.

Vaccine rollout in First Nations communities

The province is sending5,300 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to First Nations communities.

Anderson said shipments started lastweek and by end of day Thursday, the vaccine had arrived in36 communities.

"It's been a bright spot in all of this to see pictures of health staff and elders being vaccinated," said Anderson.

• 'A light at the end of the tunnel': COVID-19 vaccine arriving in Manitoba First Nations communities

She doesn't know how many of those vaccine doseshave been administered to date, but said the uptake has been good.

"I'm so appreciative of the elders for really leading the way in this, in being informed and consenting to the vaccine," she said.

Anderson said while it's not clear when elders who live off reserve will be able to get vaccinated for COVID-19, it is a priority, and work is underway with the provincial vaccine task force around arollout plan.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee while the vaccine distribution is good news, people need to stay focused on following public health measures.

"We're not out of the woods yet," said Settee. "Our people can still get really sick, We could still lose lives here."

Rise in northern Manitobacases

Settee said some northern Manitoba First Nationshave been hit hard by COVID-19.

The province reported 84 new cases in the Northern Health Region on Friday, making it the third day in a rowthe area has had the province's largest number of new cases.

Settee saidwhile COVID-19 case numbers have declined in a number of communities, heexpressed concerns for residents of Marcel Colomb First Nation and Lynn Lake.

"The status of Marcel Colomb is very concerning. I know they've lost two members of their First Nation," he said.

Settee said a quarter of the residents of Lynn Lake have tested positive for COVID-19, andwork is currently underway to assist people who need help.

• Lynn Lake CAO says Manitoba town taking surge of COVID-19 cases 'in hand'

The CAOof Lynn Lake said Thursday aManitoba search and rescue teamhas been deployed to help the community with patrolling, wellness checks and food deliveries, especially to isolating households.